Texas Democratic  Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee at a Saturday (March 5) news conference called for Russian authorities to release WNBA all-star, Brittney Griner.

Griner, 31, was detained by Russian Federal Customs Service at Sheremetyevo Airport near Moscow after agents discovered hashish oil vape cartridges in her luggage, The New York Times reports. Griner has been detained for three weeks, and news comes amid Russia’s deadly invasion of neighboring Ukraine, according to the New York Post.

RELATED: Basketball Star Brittney Griner Detained In Russia

“Brittney Griner is a United States citizen, she was a guest in Russia…and I will be demanding her release,” Lee said at the news conference.

Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, also weighed in on the detention, calling it “one of the weakest moments” of her life, she writes in an  Instagram post.

Russia is currently seizing the ex-Soviet nation of Ukraine, prompting scores to flee in fear for their lives. “I don’t want to disregard a sovereign nation,'' Lee said at the press conference, “but Putin has disregarded sovereign nations his entire service in this world. Anyone that is killing and attacking and destroying Ukraine, a neighboring country that is not bothering them, has no right to hold Ms. Griner. Period.”

Lee called for the matter to be dealt with “diplomatically” and emphasizes that a Moscow prison is “no place” for Griner, referencing her Olympic gold medal history.

If found guilty, Russian authorities say she could face anywhere from 5-10 years in prison.

Griner’s agent tells ESPN that this is an “ongoing legal matter” and both WNBA and NBA are involved.